Press Release: Labor Department and iAging Partner to Launch Older Worker Survey

(DENVER) - The State of Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), in conjunction with Workforce Colorado, other workforce organizations and the nonprofit iAging, is conducting a comprehensive survey to gain insight from workers and job seekers aged 50 and over. Respondents are asked to share their experiences with work, job transitions, and career changes. The unique survey aims to strengthen understanding of this valuable, growing demographic, evaluate how well current policies and programs support older workers, and identify areas for improvement.

Coloradans aged 50-plus can take the Older Adult Survey online here to help shape future workforce support programs and opportunities across the state. Survey respondents will be entered into drawings to win gift cards.

"We are so fortunate in Colorado to have a strong community of people aged 50 and older who remain active and interested in participating in the work and volunteer force in our state," says Kelly Folks, Director of the Division of Employment and Training for Colorado. "It's important that support and policies are in place to elevate the valuable experience of this vital group. The survey is designed to assist in determining what is working and what needs to change."

According to CDLE's Office of Labor Market Information, 674,800 workers aged 55 and older are actively working or looking for work in Colorado. There are another 27,500 workers aged 55 and older that are not actively looking for work, but state that they want a job now. Adding this group to workers aged 55 and older who are unemployed, gives us approximately 48,600 workers aged 55 and older representing a potential untapped talent pool of older workers.

"With people living longer and birth rates declining over the last 40+ years, a thriving economy depends on ensuring older adults find a place in the Colorado workforce, which makes participation in the survey more important than ever," says iAging CEO Karen Brown, a nonprofit assisting with survey distribution and analysis.

This workforce survey is being conducted by iAging, CDLE and its affiliated partners, contractors, and consultants. All participant information is confidential.

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